Sharing the gift of learning. The SM Store’s Donate-A-Book gathered more than 130,000 books in 2021 from customers and partner organizations. The books were distributed to over 100 public schools and community organizations nationwide.
Through
the generosity of its shoppers and partners, The SM Store was able to gather
more than 130,000 books and 45,000 toys through its Donate-A-Book and
Share-A-Toy programs in 2021. The SM Store gave shoppers a Php 100 discount
coupon for each toy or book that they donated. Along with the books and toys,
The SM Store also donated backpacks and school supplies.
The
community programs were implemented in partnership with SM Foundation for
children in public schools, orphanages, pediatric hospitals, health centers,
Christian- and Muslim-run charitable institutions, non-government institutions,
and Indigenous People communities. Each of the 68 branches of The SM Store
identified two or more community beneficiaries for the donation drive. A list
of beneficiaries can be found at www.thesmstore.com.
“We
are grateful for the overwhelming support of our shoppers for our Donate-A-Book
and Share-A-Toy. Our shoppers are looking for ways to give back, especially
during challenging times, and we at The SM Store are happy to share this
mission with them,” said Chelo Monasterio, President of The SM Store.
She added that last years’ programs were special because aside from the generous shoppers of The SM Store, academic institutions, private companies, and non-government organizations took part in the initiative and donated books and toys for the communities.
Schools, publications, and NGOs
mobilized communities to share the joy of learning
For
Donate-A-Book, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of
the Philippines (COCOPEA); Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges
and Universities (PAPSCU); and the Catholic Educational Association of the
Philippines (CEAP) mobilized their members to donate quality books and
reference materials that will help rebuild and enrich the collections of
community and public school libraries.
Olivia
Camatog, principal of De La Salle Zobel in Alabang, a member school of PAPSCU
and COCOPEA, said the books they donated came from their library collection,
some of which have multiple copies. Through this program with SM, Camatog
expressed their happiness in giving a meaningful contribution toto rebuilding
other schools' libraries.
Publishing companies like Learning Is Fun WS Publication, one of the business partners of The SM Store Stationery, donated reference and activity books. Trailblazing Publishing from the PAPSCU network also shared brand new K to 12 books for public schools.
Representatives from Learning is Fun WS Publication turned over its book donations to The SM Store and SM Foundation through an online event. The donated books were given to children from hospitals, health centers and charitable institutions.
The
Philippine Commission on Women and the National Council of Women of the
Philippines also shared books they gathered from partner NGOs. “Through the
distribution network of The SM Store and their presence all over the country,
we are happy to partner with them so that our book collection will reach more
girls and boys in far flung communities,” said Sandy Montano, Chairwoman of the
Philippine Commission on Women.
Donate-A-Book was implemented in select branches of The SM Store from August 15 to September 30, 2021. Books were donated to more than 100 public schools and community organizations.
Trade partners and private firms
shared toys to make kids happy
The SM Store and the Toy
Kingdom teamed up for Share-A-Toy from December 1 to 31, 2021 in all branches
of The SM Store and Toy Kingdom nationwide.
HSBC Global Service Center Philippines adopted the Share-A-Toy program as part of its employee engagement activity. HSBC employees shared 4,000 new toys and educational materials.
Sharing joy through toys. The SM Store and Toy Kingdom’s Share A Toy collected around 45,000 toys in 2021. The SM Store branches nationwide are currently rolling out the distribution to the selected communities.
The SM Store is
currently rolling out the distribution of donations to the selected
communities. The SM Store branches already distributed a portion of the donated
toysto children from remote Aeta communities in Guimaras and Antique; Jalaud
Elementary School in Iloilo; Bahay ni San Jose orphanage; Benguet General
Hospital and Medical Center; Philippine General Hospital; Mary the Queen Parish
in Quezon City; and San Mateo Elementary School and Guitnang Bayan Elementary
School in Rizal.
This year, The SM Store
started its donation drive with Share Your Extras to benefit communities
impacted by Typhoon Odette. SM shoppers were encouraged to donate old and new
clothes. Collections from Metro Manila and Luzon branches will be distributed
to typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. Share Your Extras will run
from January 15 to February 15, 2021, for Metro Manila branches and February 1
to February 28 for north and south Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao branches. For
every donation, shoppers will receive a Php 100 discount voucher valid for
their next purchase.
Sharing clothes for
Odette-hit communities. Share Your Extras is currently accepting clothing
donations in participating The SM Store branches nationwide until February 28.
